Stories
BJP Backs CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid Opposition Protests, Says He Deserves Padma Bhushan
- •The BJP has expressed full support for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, stating he deserves the Padma Bhushan, amidst protests by Congress leaders demanding his resignation.
- •West Bengal BJP Chief Samik Bhattacharya praised Gyanesh Kumar's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive for ensuring peaceful elections in West Bengal, free from intimidation and violence.
- •Opposition parties, including Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Samajwadi Party, accuse Kumar of compromising election integrity following reports of an "unprecedented rupture" within the ECI.
- •An Indian Express report highlighted two Election Commissioners' objections to the SIR exercise, citing decisions made without their knowledge and concerns over voter registration processes.
- •The Election Commission has rejected claims of a breakdown, asserting that differing views are part of institutional deliberations and all decisions, including the SIR, were unanimous.
Key Questions Answered
Opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following a media report highlighting an unprecedented rupture within the Election Commission of India. Two election commissioners raised objections regarding voter registration, deletions, alterations to Form 6, and decisions made without their knowledge during the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
The BJP has strongly defended Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, with West Bengal BJP Chief Samik Bhattacharya asserting that he deserves the Padma Bhushan for leading the Special Intensive Revision drive that eliminated intimidation and infiltration during the state elections. The BJP dismissed the opposition's allegations as baseless, maintaining that differing views within institutional deliberations reflect a pure democracy.
Opposition parties have staged nationwide demonstrations across major cities such as Patna, Kolkata, and Itanagar, demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, an independent inquiry, and the suspension of upcoming elections. Additionally, student organizations like the AISA held public protests at Jantar Market in New Delhi demanding his arrest, while opposition parties previously initiated moves to bring a removal motion in Parliament.
